Rat or vermin proof building



2 Sheets--Sheet- 1.

(Na Model.)

J. T. CRAWFORD. RAT 0R VERMIN PROOF BUILDING;

Patented Dec. 29, 1896.

' (N0 Mofie ll) 2 Sheath-Sheet J. T. CRAWFORD. RAT 0R VBRMIN PROOF BUILDING.

No. 574,305. Patented Dec. 29, 1896;.

UNITED STATES JOHN T. ORAIVFORD, OF

PATENT OFEIcE.

W'ILSONVILLE, ALABAMA.

RAT OR VERMIN PROOF BUILDING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 574,305, dated December 29, 1896.

Application filed September 15,1896- Serial No. 605,854. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JoHN T. CRAWFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vilsonville, in the county of Shelby and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rat and Vermin Proof Buildings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art -to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to improvements in outbuildings, such as corn-cribs, feed and grain houses, poultry-houses and the like; and the object is to provide a building of this description which shall be rat, vermin, and snake proof.

To this end the novelty consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the same, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings the same figures of reference indicate the same parts of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved rat and vermin proof building. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view. Fig. iis a horizontal section of one of the posts on the line of the plate 12, and Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the plate.

1 represents the superstructure, which may be of any suitable dimensions and approved construction.

2 2 represent the floor-joists, which are arranged in the usual manner a suitable distance apart and transversely parallel to each other, and their parallel sides 3 3 converge from the top to the bottom 4, which rests on the longitudinal sills 5 5, which are connected near their ends-by cross-braces 6 6. The outer ends 7 7 of each of the sills 5 5are curved upwardly, as shown, so that in case of removal the sills will serve the purpose of runners in hauling the structure from one place to another.

8 8 represent the floor-posts upon which the building rests, and each post is divided into two vertical sections 9 and 10.

12 represents a rectangular sheet metal plate which is inserted between the sections 9 and 10, that is to say, the section 10 rests upon the ground. The plate 12 is laid upon the top of the bottom section 10, the section 9 placed vertically upon it, and the sills laid on these. This plate 12 is formed with an integral trough or gutter 13, extending entirely around its outer edge, and the bead 14 on the immediate edge is cut away at intervals to form sleeves 16 on an inclined plate 17 by means of a rod 18 alternately engaging the sleeves. and a spiral spring 19 encompasses the rod, and one end rests against the plate and the other against the gutter or trough to normally hold the plate upwardly at an inclination to the trough, as shown, the limit of its upward movement being governed by the arm 20 on the trough.

The plate 12 being square, and the trough extending around its four sides, an inclined hinged plate 17, as described, is provided for each. The outer edge of each of these plates is serrated or provided with sharp-pointed teeth 21 to assist in preventing an animal getting a foothold, and even if it should the weight of the animal would bear the plate 17 down and drop it on the ground.

The trough may be filled with any viscid or liquid insecticide which will prevent small vermin, as bugs, roaches, snails, and the like, from crossing it, while larger animals, as rats, gophers, snakes, and the like, will be deterred by contact with the poisonous contents of the trough.

Although I have specifically described the construction and relative arrangement of the several elements of my invention, I do not desire to be confined to the same, as such changes or modifications may be made as clearly fall within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A structure of the class described, comprising the superstructure, and the sills 5 5 having upwardly-curved ends and connected by the cross-braces 6 6, in combination with the posts 8, consisting of the upper and lower sections 9 10, and the rectangular plate 12 inand for the purpose set forth.

2. A structure of the class described, comprising the superstructure resting on the sills,

serted between said sections, substantially as which in turn rest upon the posts 8 8, each post comprising an upper section 9 and a lower section 10, a rectangular plate 12 secured be tween said sections and formed with an integral trough or gutter extending entirely around its outer edge substantially as shown and described.

3. A structure of the class described, comprising the superstructure, the sills and the posts 8, consisting of the sections 9 and 10, and the rectangular plate provided with the trough or gutter, and the inclined plates 17 hinged to said trough or gutter, substantially as shown and described.

4. A structure of the class described, con1- prising the superstructure, the sills and the sectional posts 9 and 10, in combination with the plate 2 having trough or gutter 13 formed with sleeves 15, the inclined plates 17 having sleeves 10 hinged thereto by a rod 18 and the springs 19 engaging said gutter or trough and inclined plates substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN T. CRAWFORD.

\Vitnesses:

D. R. MCMILLAN, W. A. TALLAND. 

